Skip Navigation

OU-Led S3OK Project Charts Path to Address Wicked Problems

NEWS
Attendees of the final S3OK Academy meeting.
Attendees of the final S3OK Academy meeting. Photo provided.

OU-Led S3OK Project Charts Path to Address Wicked Problems


By

Josh DeLozier

joshdelozier@ou.edu

Date

April 20, 2025

NORMAN, OKLA. – On Tuesday, May 13, the University of Oklahoma’s Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis hosted the final Academy meeting of the Socially Sustainable Solutions for Water, Carbon, and Infrastructure Resilience in Oklahoma, or S3OK, project. Funded by the National Science Foundation through the EPSCoR program, the event brought together academic researchers and statewide practitioners for a forward-looking capstone event in Oklahoma City.

Since its launch, S3OK has pioneered a model of sustained, iterative engagement between scientists and a 65-member Opinion Leader Advisory Network, which includes representatives from tribal nations, state and local governments, nonprofit organizations and private industry. Through this unique collaboration, the project has advanced research capacity and interdisciplinary innovation in Oklahoma’s most pressing infrastructure, water and carbon challenges.

“The S3OK project demonstrates the power of partnership in addressing complex environmental and infrastructure systems,” said Hank Jenkins-Smith, IPPRA director and science lead for the S3OK project. “By directly engaging stakeholders in the research process, we’ve ensured that scientific solutions are practical, equitable and sustainable.”

The annual S3OK Academy has served as the flagship meeting for the project’s team and advisory network, providing structured forums to evaluate progress and co-develop solution strategies. This final convening featured three key working groups presenting actionable insights on:

  • Natural hazards and utility resilience
  • Enhancing water availability for agricultural and oilfield applications
  • Innovative hybrid treatment and reuse options for stormwater and municipal wastewater

Beyond presenting research outcomes, participants engaged in strategic discussions about the path forward for resilient infrastructure and environmental systems in Oklahoma.

“This isn’t the end of the conversation. It’s a launch point for new partnerships and next-generation research,” said Jenkins-Smith. “We remain committed to progress toward solutions by exploring future research, impact areas, and partnerships to tackle Oklahoma’s most wicked problems.”

Learn more about the S3OK program and other projects led by IPPRA at OU.

About the project

The S3OK initiative was supported through a $20 million cooperative agreement from the National Science Foundation to Oklahoma Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, Award no. OIA-1946093. The project integrates social and environmental science to develop sustainable responses to Oklahoma’s climate-related infrastructure and resource challenges.

About the University of Oklahoma

Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.


Recent News

Impact
June 17, 2025

University of Oklahoma to Launch 20 New AI Projects

The University of Oklahoma has awarded nearly $200,000 in pilot seed funding to 20 artificial intelligence projects designed to spark innovation across health care, education, research and digital infrastructure


Research
June 17, 2025

University of Oklahoma Researchers Studying E-Cigarette Habits in Young Adults

The National Institutes of Health, in partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has funded a University of Oklahoma study that will investigate how, when and why young adults use e-cigarettes and how that use may relate to health risks. The results will help the FDA make decisions about regulating the makers of e-cigarette products.


Impact
June 17, 2025

University of Oklahoma Launches Executive Program for Future Athletics Directors

The OU Price College of Business has launched a future athletics director program to provide unique training for NCAA Division I athletics department leaders. This executive-level program, developed in partnership with OU Athletics, will host its inaugural cohort in fall 2025.